lunedì 28 settembre 2015

H&M is proud to announce its autumn guest
collaboration with the Parisian house of Balmain. A veritable bastion of
French luxury, under the creative directorship of young Olivier
Rousteing, Balmain has grown into a global pop-culture phenomenon.
Yesterday night, Rousteing himself and his friends Kendall Jenner and
Jourdan Dunn, walked the red carpet at The Billboard Music Awards
revealing the first pieces of the collection. Through social media
H&M and Balmain invited their fans to join a movement of
togetherness with #HMBalmaination.

"I want to talk to my generation: this is my main aim as a designer.
H&M allows me the unique possibility of bringing everyone into the
world of Balmain, get a piece of the dream and create a global
#HMBalmaination: a movement of togetherness, fueled on a hashtag. The
collaboration felt extremely natural to me: H&M is a brand that
everybody connects to. It calls for unity, and I am all for it," says
Olivier Rousteing.

Founded in 1945, Balmain has always remained true to the vision and
spirit of its founder and expresses energy, fun, amusement and freedom,
appealing everybody. Rousteing has created a unique identity for the
house, at once respectful of its couture DNA and rooted in the moment,
with a showbiz flair. Highlighting its pop charm through the H&M
collaboration came as a natural decision.

“We are excited to have Balmain as our guest designer at H&M and
create a truly involving experience for everybody. With its mix of
couture spirit and streetwear attitude, Balmain owns a unique style, at
once opulent and direct, sensual and energetic. It is also closely
linked to the show business and music worlds, which adds another element
of surprise,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor at H&M.

Available from November 5, in around 250 stores worldwide and online,
the collection will feature clothing and accessories for both women and
men.

mercoledì 23 settembre 2015

Since her Oscar-nominated performance as enigmatic rock star Penny
Lane in 2000’s hit Almost Famous, actress and Hollywood royalty Kate
Hudson has become a red carpet favourite with her effortless bohemian
glamour.
Citing Julie Christie, Anita Pallenberg and Cher as her style
inspirations, Kate herself has become a fashion icon, topping best
dressed lists by choosing Seventies silhouettes and modernising them
with well-chosen accessories.

Kate wears the Andie Sunglasses

For Autumn Winter 2015, Kate Hudson shares an exclusive
interview and photo diary including some of her favourite styles from
the ballet-inspired Jimmy Choo collection. An experienced ballet dancer,
Kate reveals how she translates the discipline to her acting career and
how this self-expression connects her with her characters.

Describe your style and any eras, icons or influences you have?

I would say that my style sort of depends on my mood, but comfort is
definitely the common denominator, which means a lot of pieces that are
flowy and light. I’ve always been attracted to the ‘70s – sexy, with a
lot of freedom in the overall aesthetic. My fashion icons are Julie
Christie, Anita Pallenberg, Kate Moss and Cher.

The Autumn Winter Jimmy Choo collection is inspired by ballet – how does the discipline affect your approach to fitness?

I grew up dancing. My mom put me in dance classes since I was three
years old and I did ballet up until 12 before she allowed me to take
more types of dance, like lyrical. I wasn’t allowed to skip class; I
just knew I had to go. If you have that kind of discipline as a kid it
sort of translates to everything. Dancing really connected me to my body
in terms of understanding what my body needs. The beautiful thing about
dance is you have this intense discipline and once you have that
foundation, you can feel free and let go. It applies to everything, even
acting – you rehearse and get connected to the character in order to
let go and get inside who that person is.

Kate wears the Dayno Boot

What are your favourite red carpet (or film costume) outfits - why are they so special?

I feel really lucky because I’ve gotten to work with great designers
and costume designers. I love fashion so I get excited about being able
to dress up. Creating the wardrobe is also one of the most fun parts of
creating a character for me. I would say my favourites were the costumes
on “Nine” and getting to work with Colleen Atwood. For red carpet, I
really loved the Versace I wore to the Golden Globes this year and the
gold Versace I wore to the Oscars in 2003. I also loved the Valentino
print I wore to the Golden Globes in 2003 and the McQueen I wore to the
Globes in 2013. There are so many more that I really loved – it’s hard
to choose just one because I probably wouldn’t have worn anything I
didn’t really love.

Kate wears the Alina Flat

What is your favourite Jimmy Choo style from the Jimmy Choo shoot today?

I think my favourite look was the pink velvet ballet heels with the
big skirt we shot in the window. The whole look had a vintage Oscar de
la Renta vibe to it; it was so ethereal and relaxed. Those shoes are
beautiful and the colour of the shoes made the black dress feel so
special.

What is your earliest fashion memory?

I was a little girl and I went with my mom to a fitting with Bob
Mackie for a special she was working on. She was in his studio and there
was fabric and sequins everywhere. I was in awe; it was like being in a
little fashion dream! I remember he made me a package of little sequin
bow pins, in all different colours. There were about ten in the package
he made me, and it was a moment I will never forget because I was so
excited.

What motto or life rules do you live by?

I have a couple of them. I think it starts with authenticity. For me
it is something I really struggle with because if I feel like I’m
letting people down if I’m trying to conform to what others think I
should be. To be authentic and truthful is truly the most important
thing for me. It can be scary because not everyone will like your truth
but I find when I’m in that space, I’m a lot happier in my life and I
feel less pressure and less concerned.
Also, the idea that you only live once. The idea of living each day as
if it might be the last makes you want to be present and enjoy. Your
eyes open up and really see things. I just want to make the most of it
while I’m here.

Describe the memories you have of your first pair of ‘grown up’ heels?

I must have been 12, and it was graduation. My mom didn’t let me wear
heels back then, but I used to go in her closet and try hers on, of
course. I wore a sundress that had a big skirt and it was white with
little cherries on it. My mom bought me my first pair of high heels that
day; they must have only been an inch or so. They were bright red and
she gave them to me all wrapped up. I was so happy! So my first pair of
heels were bright red pumps, which I couldn’t have been more excited
about.

How do you and your Glam Squad decide what to wear to red carpet events?

I work with a lot of the same people and everyone’s opinion matters.
It is usually a hard choice between two, typically totally different
directions. We all weigh in and then really just talk about it.
Sometimes it sort of works itself out and sometimes we just play.
Putting the hair up, leaving it down, it is like playing dress up,
figuring out what makes sense for this look and for you as a person. And
it has to feel comfortable, that’s key for me.

Kate wears the Keri Bootie

Which performances have you learned the most about yourself since you became an actress?

Even the movies that aren’t as well known or successful still have
had a huge impact on me as learning experiences. I love being on movie
sets and I have learned something on every one I’ve been on. I love
observing the process of making a film, I love to learn so I really try
to take it all in. Some movies are longer shoots, so you develop deeper
relationships with people. “Almost Famous” was a very long shoot so it
is very memorable for me. I also loved working with Robert Altman and
experiencing his style of directing, he was all about the freedom of the
actors. He once told me that he was the canvas and we were the paint.
That is part of what I love about the job, I’ve learned from so many
different filmmakers. But, I’ve always been attracted to and fascinated
by the camera department, and fortunate to watch and work besides such
masters as John Toll and Bob Richardson. I asked questions about types
of lenses and usage of light – everyone has a different approach. What
I’ve learned is to stay present in the work and not bring my personal
life to my job.What are your best beauty tips?My mom’s makeup artist for years, Tom Case could have four items and
would make the most beautiful face. He was a master at contouring and I
remember studying him while he would do my mom’s make-up. That is where I
learned to highlight and shadow. I think the thing about beauty tips is
that it is different for everybody. How one person highlights their
face isn’t always how another person should because we have different
bone structures. Inside eye liner for natural makeup is another one. If
you put eyeliner on the inside top as well as bottom it really opens
your eyes up and make them pop.

Kate wears the Rosana Pump

What health/fitness changes should we make to improve their lives?I would say cutting sugar, or at least being aware of how much you
are ingesting in a day and limiting it. That was an eye opener for me; I
realized I was craving it like an addict around 4 pm every day. I would
crave something sweet and it hit me how much sugar we really eat. That
is a game changer. Fitness wise, try to do something active that doesn’t
feel daunting, and make yourself do it four times a week. It doesn’t
need to be long; it could be a walk around the park. Anything that gets
you moving and your lungs expanding four times a week gets you
motivated. It gets your heart rate up and gets you connected to your
body. The third would be more about mental health and meditation. My mom
and brother have been doing it forever, and I never felt like I had the
time with work and my kids. It was my New Year’s resolution last year
to meditate five to ten minutes a day. That has been the biggest change
in my life. I have gone from five minutes to twenty and it starts my day
off more grounded and more focused as well as less reactive. It is a
tool I go back to throughout the day when I am feeling stressed in order
to center myself.